When a disaster strikes, a significant population is unprepared because it doesn't come with a warning.
In all honesty, most individuals don't even think about carrying any survival food with them; instead, they just carry enough food to survive for three to four weeks. People rush to grocery stores and supermarkets to get as much food as they can during emergencies for this precise reason. If you don't learn how to prepare, you can become one of these individuals.
It's straightforward to set up a food storage system at home, and almost all the materials are available at your local grocery shop.
Use the moments when things are normal and the lines are shorter to your advantage. One could argue that the moment is now. We're currently experiencing a pandemic and an economic downturn that is worse than the Great Recession of 2008.
The Best Survival Food List From The Grocery Store For Preppers is still necessary, despite improved technology, online shopping, and stores opening in all areas.
Through comprehensive research on food storage, preparation, and survival food methods, some of the best survival foods are listed below for preppers at your local grocery store. We'll delve deeper into the most incredible grocery store survival foods for assembling a comprehensive food storage system.
Things to consider before shopping:
When prepping, grocery stores are always the first stop. It is simple to overlook everyday grocery goods, yet many include foods ideal for long-term storage since they are shelf-stable.
It would be best to be well-versed in the crucial factors to consider while creating your emergency food supply list before shopping. The general guidelines are as follows:
■ Cost. You must do careful financial planning if you want to purchase emergency food.
■ Calories. The golden rule for food storage in a survival situation is to have 2,000 calories or more per person per day to guarantee that everyone is healthy and has enough energy.
■ Storage capacity. You must be aware of this before buying survival food because some foods have longer shelf lives than others.
■ Nutrition. By including variety in your diet, you can best guarantee that your body will receive all the required nutrients.
■ Easy-to-prepare foods. Prioritize easy-to-prepare foods that mostly cook using just boiling water and a frying pan at most. You may not have full access to your kitchen during an emergency.
■ Check the Expiration Dates. It does not imply that something is fresh just because it is sold at the local grocery store. Ensure that a product was recently packaged in the store before purchasing it.
■ Size. Make sure you have enough servings for everyone.
Best Survival Food List From The Grocery Store for Preppers
In recent years, food storage has grown in popularity, and more individuals than ever before are stockpiling food.
There has never been a more crucial time to practice food storage at home, whether you are preparing for the next pandemic, the zombie apocalypse, or want to be ready for an emergency.
It's a common misconception among survivalists that you require specific emergency foods like MREs. The majority of preppers do all of their shopping at the supermarket.
Essential food supplies are ideal for long-term storage, and emergencies are readily available at your local grocery store or supermarket. When building a stockpile of emergency supplies, put the following prepper foods at the top of your shopping list.
1. Grains
You can get all the calories and energy you need in an emergency by eating grains, which are a great source of carbohydrates. Since grains will be a component of most of your meals, this group of foods should account for a sizable portion of your whole diet.
There are a variety of grains at the grocery store that you should take into consideration. Choosing a variety of grains is an excellent way to make exciting meals and ensure you always enjoy your prepper foods. You should take into account the following grains for your system:
White or Wild Rice
Rice is available everywhere in this world. It's an affordable and nutritious addition to your emergency food supply. It will give you the necessary carbohydrates to keep going in a crisis.
Rice is a cost-effective way to stretch your food supply during survival as a half cup of dried rice makes 1 cup of cooked rice.
Although choosing brown rice might seem sensible, considering its higher nutritional content, you should stick with white rice and wild rice, given their longer shelf lives. Brown rice
will spoil considerably more quickly since it contains more natural oils and lipids.
On the other hand, white and wild rice seldom contains any lipids or oils. White and wild rice have an infinite shelf life and can survive up to 25 years or more when stored properly.
Quinoa
Quinoas are one of the few plant foods that contain all
9 essential amino acids, are highly nutritious, and are significantly better for providing a healthy diet during an emergency.
Quinoa is a fantastic source of plant-based protein since it includes essential amino acids. Thus, it provides more than just carbohydrates to your diet. In addition, quinoa has more complex carbohydrates than rice, giving you more energy.
Despite the excellent health advantages of quinoa, do not replace rice with it. Given that it has a much shorter shelf life than other grains like rice, you should also include this whole grain also in your stockpile.
Pasta
After eating rice for days, weeks, or even months, you will be grateful for the pasta you stored in your stockpile.
Pasta is a versatile food that provides a lot of carbohydrates and can be prepared in various ways. Pasta salads, traditional pasta dishes, and noodle soups are just a few examples. Like rice, plain pasta should be used to extend its shelf life.
When there is no moisture or oxygen present, pasta can last up to 30 years. Pasta purchased at the store can be kept in its original packaging for up to two years after its "best by" date. It can survive a lot longer if sealed with oxygen absorbers.
Oats
Oats are a fantastic source of nutrients and make a wonderful survival food. Oatmeal has a significant amount of nourishment, which is
crucial in times of crisis.
In addition to providing nutrients like carbohydrates, oats also have fiber and plant-based protein. You should not exclude this food item from your stockpile.
If they are kept in their original packaging, you can typically expect on oats to last at least two years. Oats can stay much longer than this, though, provided appropriate steps are taken to maximize their shelf life.
Cornmeal and Flour
Although cornmeal and flour are hardly the most enticing consumables for preppers, their form makes them very practical.
Because you can prepare so many different kinds of food with both ingredients, survivalists frequently stock up on cornmeal and flour. The shelf life of cornmeal and wheat flour alone can be extended to five years with careful storage.
2. Meats (Canned & Dried)
Some individuals find it impossible to picture a situation without meat. This is a tasty and wholesome food that will balance out the effects of the grains in your diet.
In addition to flavor, meat gives your body protein, which is arguably the most essential component you require in your daily diet.
Because of its short shelf life, fresh meat cannot be relied upon to preserve food well for more than a few days to a week. For this reason, stock up on canned and dry meats at the local supermarket.
Dried Meats
Historically speaking, these freeze dried foods and meats are a staple of prepper foods. Humans first used this method of food preservation around 3,000 B.C., and it is still influential today.
The most popular dried meat used for this among survivalists is jerky. There are many kinds of jerky to consider, but your choice will ultimately depend on your preferences. Old Fashioned Jerky is the best option to extend your jerky's shelf life because it lasts the longest.
When stored properly, Jerky has a shelf life of at least five years, and many preppers believe it can survive eternally.
Canned Meats
Meats in cans are highly versatile and can be used for various dishes. Many canned meat products in your local grocery store are ideal for your stockpile. The vital minerals and protein in canned meats are abundant.
The best way to avoid becoming tired of eating the same thing is to choose a range of canned meats, such as:
- Canned Tuna
- Canned Salmon
- Canned Beef
- Canned Chicken
- Corned Beef
- SPAM
3. Fruits (Canned & Dried)
Fruits should always be a part of whatever you eat, emergency or not. They are a great source of vitamins your body needs, so you should approach your stockpile with that in mind.
Fruit still in its natural state cannot be stored for an extended period. Pick fruit that has either been dried or canned. Given that, each type of fruit can be used. Differently, choose both canned foods and dried fruits.
Dried Fruit
For quick snacking, oatmeal, and rehydrating, dried fruit works well. Dried fruit can be consumed as a snack throughout the day or used as an ingredient to make it a significant component of your meals.
Many varieties of dried fruit are available at the local grocery store, but some will be better suited to long-term storage than others. For your stockpile, think about the following dried fruit options:
- Dried Apples
- Dried Bananas
- Dried Cranberries
- Dried Blackberries
- Dried Figs
- Dried Cherries
- Dried Blueberries
Canned Fruit
One simple food item to add to your stockpile long term food storage is canned fruit. Canned fruit should be consumed within 18 months for optimum flavor and quality. However, proper storage conditions can extend the shelf life significantly.
You may choose what canned fruit you want from the grocery store based on your tastes and preferences.
It is best to prioritize low-acid canned fruits because high-acid canned fruits will only last for a while in your prepper pantry. Think about including these canned items in your stockpile:
- Canned Apples
- Canned Cranberries
- Canned Cherries
- Canned Mango
- Canned Pears
- Canned Grapefruit
- Canned Peaches
4. Canned Vegetables
A sufficient quantity of vegetables is a must-have item on any prepper's grocery list. Fresh vegetables will not be an option, just like with fruit.
Choose canned vegetables over fresh ones since they have a much longer shelf life of up to five years. Vegetables may be used in various ways in your cooking and are an essential source of nutrients for your diet.
As always, it will be far better for your diet and palate to have a diversity of foods in your system over time. Eating the same vegetables daily might grow boring. For this reason, purchase the following groceries:
- Canned Tomatoes
- Canned Corn
- Canned Mushrooms
- Canned Carrots
- Canned Beets
- Canned Green Beans
5. Protein
Given how important protein is, it should have its section. After purchasing foods high in protein, such as meat and beans, purchasing a few more things would be prudent to ensure you get the recommended amount of protein daily.
Since this is a purely personalized prepper item, you can choose what suits your preferences and requirements the best. The following protein sources could be good to add to your survivalist grocery list:
- Whey
- Protein Bars
- Nuts
- Trail Mix
- Peanut Butter
6. Beans (Canned & Dried)
Beans are one of the most crucial foods you shouldn't forget to get when doing your supermarket shopping. In addition to providing a variety of cooking options for your meals, beans are rich in the nutrients you need everyday.
Beans are an absolute must for every food storage system because they are packed with plant-based protein, antioxidants, fiber, and so much more. You have the option of adding dried or canned beans to your stockpile.
Given that dried and canned beans both have a long shelf life, you can choose which is best for you based on your desired shelf life. In typically, canned beans last for 4 to 5 years or more before they start to smell old or taste terrible.
Dry beans, however, can endure for a lot longer. Dry beans are the greatest choice for long-term stockpiles because they can last up to 25 to 30 years if kept in the proper storage conditions. Think about purchasing the following beans at your local supermarket:
- Pinot Beans
- Black Beans
- Black Eye Peas
- Split Peas
- Kidney Beans
- Garbanzo Beans
7. Fats & Oils
When looking for items to stockpile on, it tends to be easy to forget about fats and oils. Not only are these items crucial for cooking, but they are also vital for your health.
Healthy fats are the foundation of a healthy diet, and you should include a variety of various oils in your supply to make sure your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs. This is especially true for beneficial fats like mono- and poly-unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids.
Both types are crucial since some fats and oils, such as cooking oil, will be considerably more helpful in making meals than others. The following fats and oils might be worth purchasing for your food storage system:
- Coconut Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Canola Oil
- Lard
- Shortening
8. Dairy (Dried)
If you're the kind of person who needs their daily glass of milk, you might want to think about including dairy in your prepper cabinet. Dairy can be difficult to give up. Despite the box's "Long Life" label, fresh milk is unreliable for long-term preservation.
Dry dairy is the way to go because it has an almost endless shelf life and takes up much less space in your stockpile. Only a few dry dairy items are notable, with cheese and dry/powdered milk being the most popular choices among peppers.
9. Herbs & Spices
Herbs and spices are the most frequent food ingredients that individuals neglect to buy. One of the critical reasons for this is that while these components are not absolutely necessary for your survival, they will be if you want to maintain your sanity in a crisis.
Even for preparedness enthusiasts, bland food is unacceptable. Herbs and spices play a key role in ensuring that the food you eat is both nutrient-dense and delectable.
Many herbs and spices are worth adding to your prepper collection. By all means, use the entire spice rack if you have the space. It's important to note that salt should be your top concern because you want to remember it.
Dried herbs and spices are the only reliable method for keeping these ingredients. Take into account including the following spices and herbs on your prepper shopping list:
- Cummin
- Oregano
- Basil
- Corriander
- Pepper
- Salt
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Dill
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Chili
10. Canned Meals
Canned meals are the best option if you want to include practical food items that will make cooking quick and simple. There are many pre-made meals in cans that your grocery store sells that are ideal for short-term stockpiling meant to last 3 to 5 years.
Meals from cans are convenient, delectable, and have a lot of nutritious value. There are so many alternatives to choose from when purchasing canned meals, which is fantastic.
Approaching this in the incorrect way isn't always a bad idea. Simply select your favorite canned meals and include them on your prepper shopping list. Examples of typical canned meals that are good for food storage stockpiles are given below:
- Canned Soups
- Canned Chili
- Canned Stews
- Baked Beans
11. Sugars
Another element that your body might not require but eventually start to want is sugar. You can occasionally add sugar to some dishes or even prepare your own desserts.
Since some sugars are better suited for long-term preservation, you should pick specific varieties for your stockpile. The most widely used sugar items among survivalist consumers are generally these:
- Sugarcane
- Sugar from Beets
- Sugar from Corn
- Honey
12. Water
The last but most important element is water. The most crucial component to include in your food storage system is this.
While you can typically bank on having flowing water during emergencies, that won't always be the case. A wise person prepares for the worst and keeps a significant supply of drinking water on hand at all times.
It would help to consider how long you want to rely on your resources and stockpile. You should drink 1 gallon of water per person each day as a general rule. Getting bottled water cases for quick and simple hydration is strongly advised.
But getting a water tank or a sizable container to store on your property is also advisable, perhaps in the basement or backyard.
Things to consider in storing survival foods:
Buying survival food is necessary, but it's more crucial to store it properly because if you don't, everything will spoil and you might not have preserved anything at all!
Consider your storage as an investment that will be priceless in times of need. Following are some suggestions for stockpiling survival food:
- No moisture of any type should be present (there should be zero humidity or dripping water).
- No pests present
- For your food to last longer, the temperature should not be higher than 80 degrees or lower than 70 degrees.
- No direct sunlight
